CA2088076C - Apparatus for the proportioned feeding of an analysis fluid - Google Patents
Apparatus for the proportioned feeding of an analysis fluidInfo
- Publication number
- CA2088076C CA2088076C CA002088076A CA2088076A CA2088076C CA 2088076 C CA2088076 C CA 2088076C CA 002088076 A CA002088076 A CA 002088076A CA 2088076 A CA2088076 A CA 2088076A CA 2088076 C CA2088076 C CA 2088076C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- nozzle
- valve unit
- closing element
- closing
- fluid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
- B05B1/02—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to produce a jet, spray, or other discharge of particular shape or nature, e.g. in single drops, or having an outlet of particular shape
- B05B1/08—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to produce a jet, spray, or other discharge of particular shape or nature, e.g. in single drops, or having an outlet of particular shape of pulsating nature, e.g. delivering liquid in successive separate quantities ; Fluidic oscillators
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F11/00—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
- G01F11/02—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement
- G01F11/021—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement of the piston type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J4/00—Feed or outlet devices; Feed or outlet control devices
- B01J4/02—Feed or outlet devices; Feed or outlet control devices for feeding measured, i.e. prescribed quantities of reagents
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
- B01L3/0289—Apparatus for withdrawing or distributing predetermined quantities of fluid
- B01L3/0293—Apparatus for withdrawing or distributing predetermined quantities of fluid for liquids
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F11/00—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
- G01F11/02—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
- G01N2035/1027—General features of the devices
- G01N2035/1034—Transferring microquantities of liquid
- G01N2035/1041—Ink-jet like dispensers
Abstract
Apparatus for the proportioned feeding of an analysis fluid onto a target, in which the fluid is ejected onto the target in small quanta pulse-wise out of a nozzle through a nozzle outlet opening, provides precise proportioning of analysis fluid quanta which are substantially larger than in the case of the "drop on demand" methods commonly used to date for analysis fluids, but are on the other hand smaller than the minimum doses achievable to date with diluters and dispensers; the apparatus comprises a pressure chamber in which the analysis fluid is held under pressure, and a valve unit with a valve opening and a closing element movable by a positioning element, the valve unit is constructed so that the ejection of the fluid is supported by the movement of the closing element during the closure of the valve opening.
Description
_ 208~076 Apparatus for the proportioned feedinq of an analysis fluid The invention relates to an apparatus for the proportioned feeding of an analysis fluid onto a target, in which the fluid is ejected onto the target in small quanta pulse-wise out of a nozzle through a nozzle outlet opening.
In clinical chemistry it is often necessary to apply an analysis fluid onto a target in exact quantit~. The fluid may be for example a reagent fluid, a calibration fluid or a sample fluid, in particular blood or serum.
The target to which the fluid is to be fed may be a reaction vessel, for example in an automatic analysis unit. Other examples are the microtitre plates frequently used in microbiology and the solid phase analysis elements in very common use today, ~hich are also described as "test carriers"
and, in the Anglo-Saxon literature, as ~solid state analysis y 2 2D~07G
elements". For the purpose of the present invention the term "analysis elements" denotes in addition to discrete test carriers (such as e.g. test strips and analysis slides) also tapes, strips or other forms of continuous analysis elements which are directed past a proportioning station at which the analysis fluid is applied.
Use is traditionally made for the feeding of analysis fluids of various forms of piston-cylinder apparatuses, such as e.g.
pipettes, dispensers and diluters. The reagents have usually been applied to analysis elemen s by impregnation of the reagents-carrier matrix (for example paper) or a reagent film has been produced in a layer-forming process from a fluid containing film-forming polymers. Printing techniques have also been proposed.
In EP-A-119 573 and in EP-A-268 237 (US-A-4 877 745) apparatuses of the kind mentioned in the preamble are described. Their technique is based on the ink jet technology developed originally for computer printers (ink jet printers).
Both documents contain more detailed explanations of the known state of the art , to which reference is made here.
These known apparatuses for the microproportioning of analysis fluids have in each case a nozzle compartment whose volume is compressed for a short time in order to eject a quantum of analysis fluid. In the case of EP-A-119 573 the nozzle compartment is formed by a section of an elastic tube, against whose lateral surface an electromagnetically moved cylindrical rod is directed, which is moved against the tube whenever a drop is to be ejected. In the case of EP-A-268 237 the nozzle compartment consists of a tubular piece which is surrounded by 20~07 :;
-a coaxial piezoelectric actuating element likewise formed in a tubular shape.
The "drop on demand" printing techniques make it possible to apply extremely small volumes of analysis fluids contact-free, accurately and quickly onto a target. The extraordinarily small volume of the individual quanta, which is usually some 0.2 nl and does not exceed about 1 nl, is however disadvan-tageous for many applications. If larger volumes are required, hundreds or thousands of jet quanta have to be ejected one after the other. The time required is considerable despite the high in;ection rate. In the case of easily volatile reagent fluids there is the risk that a substantial proportion of the small droplets will evaporate. In addition the ejection of the quanta is interrupted if a gas bubble of minute size forms in the nozzle compartment in the vicinity of the nozzle outlet opening. In the case of printers the formation of such gas bubbles can be avoided by the use of special inks. In the case of analysis fluids, however, this solution is not an option.
The aim of the invention is to provide an apparatus for the proportioned feeding of an analysis fluid onto a target, which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages and makes possible to generate analysis fluid quanta of precisely determined volume which are substantially larger than in the case of the "drop on demand"
methods commonly used to date for analysis fluids, but on the other hand are smaller than the minimum doses achievable to date with diluters and dispensers.
The aim is achieved in the case of an apparatus of the kind mentioned in the preamble by the fact that the latter - 2~076 comprises a pressure chamber in which the analysis fluid is held under pressure, a valve unit with a valve opening in the flow path of the fluid from the pressure chamber to the nozzle outlet opening and with a closing element moved by a positioning member for the opening and closing of the valve opening, and the valve unit is constructed so that the ejection of the fluid is supported by the movement of the closing element on the closure of the valve opening.
Thus in accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention there is provided an analysis fluid micro-proportioning apparatus for microproportioned feeding of an analysis fluid onto a target, wherein the apparatus ejects the fluid onto a target in small quantities in a pulse-wise manner out of a nozzle through a nozzle outlet opening, comprising: a pressure chamber for holding the analysis fluid under a permanent pressure; a valve unit having a valve opening disposed in a flow path of the fluid between the pressure chamber and the nozzle outlet opening, said valve unit having a closing element which is moved by a positioning member for opening and closing the valve opening, said permanent pressure forcing fluid through said valve opening when said valve opening is open; said closing element of the valve unit comprising a closing face facing an input side of the nozzle, said closing face being defined by a sealing rim, said sealing rim being disposed opposite an annular sealing seat dis-posed adjacent said input side of the nozzle; said nozzle comprising a nozzle pre-chamber downstream of said seal-ing seat, said nozzle pre-chamber being closed on an input side thereof when said valve unit is in a closed position by said sealing rim tightly fitting against said annular sealing seati and wherein a surface area of said closing face of said closing element is greater than a cross-section of said nozzle outlet opening so that, due to a hydraulic transmission during the closure of said 4a 21~8807 6 closure element, the fluid moves faster through the nozzle outlet opening than the closing element moves in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening, the ejection of the fluid thereby being supported and promoted during the closure of the valve unit with a relatively slow movement of the closing element.
In the case of the present invention, in contrast to the apparatuses for "drop on demand" microproportioning described above, a nozzle compartment (which is located directly behind the nozzle outlet opening) is not com-pressed whenever a fluid quantum is to be ejected.
Instead, the nozzle outlet opening is hydraulically connected to a pressure chamber in which the analysis fluid is subjected to a permanent pressure (of for example 0.1 to 5 bar). The ejection of a quantum of analysis fluid is controlled by the closing element of the valve unit, which briefly opens the hydraulic connec-tion between the pressure chamber and the nozzle outlet opening and closes again.
Said technique is known for the application of markings to packages and other comparatively rough and ready printing jobs. In particular there is supplied by the firm Domino Printing Sciences under the name "Makrojet 2"* a device which ejects fluid quanta of some 1.7 ~1.
The closing element of the valve unit is pressed by a spring against the nozzle outlet opening and for opening it is retracted with an electromagnetic tie rod (solenoid) by means of a wire pull. Details of said technique are given in DE-A-33 02 617, EP-A-0 260 929 and (in another embodiment) EP-A-0 276 053.
*trade mark A~
2io-s~076 The known apparatus is however completely unsuitable for the microproportioning of analysis fluids, because in said field (in contrast to the printing of comparatively rough and ready markings) a very high accuracy of the proportioning is required, which cannot be achieved with the known apparatus.
The variation coefficient (VC) of the drop size of the Makrojet 2 is above 10%, whereas for analysis purposes a maximum VC of around 1% is aimed at. Moreover, in the case of the known apparatus the lower limit of the achievable volume of a quantum is relatively high.
In the context of the present invention it has been found that it is highly advantageous for the high precision of the proportioning required during the proportioning of analysis fluids if the valve unit is deliberately so constructed that the ejection of the fluid during the closure operation, i.e.
by the movement of the closing element in the direction of the closed state (closed position) of the valve unit, is not arrested, but supported and promoted.
The invention will be explained in detail below with reference to an exemplifying embodiment shown in the figures, where Fig. 1 shows the overall layout of an apparatus according to the invention in cross-secticn, Fig. 2 an embodiment of the invention with a piezo-electric positioning element in cross-section, Fig. 3 an embodiment of the invention with a magnetic positioning element in cross-section, 6 20~8076 Fig. 4 a detailed view of a preferred valve unit.
The apparatus shown in Figure 1 for the microproportioning of analysis fluids comprises a pressure chamber 1 for the analysis fluid and a nozzle 2 ~ith a nozzle outlet opening 3 and a nozzle pre-chamber 4, through which the analysis fluid may be ejected in small quanta onto a target 5 (shown simply schematically). The analysis fluid 7 is held under pressure in the pressure chamber 1. It is fed by means of a pressure generating device 9 out of a storage vessel 6 via a connecting branch 6a. A pump, for example, may serve as the pressure generating device 9. It is also possible however for the pressure of an external pressure source (for example compressed air) to be transmitted via a diaphragm onto the analysis fluid 7 in the pressure chamber 1.
The hydraulic connection between the pressure chamber 1 and the nozzle outlet opening 3 may be opened and closed by means of a valve unit 11. The valve unit 11 (which is shown with the valve in the open position in Figure 1 and is also referred to below simply as a valve) comprises a closing element 13 actuated by a positioning member 12, the annular sealing rim 15 of said closing element 13 pressing with the valve unit 11 in the closed position against a likewise annular sealing seat 17 in the manner of a disc seal. The area surrounded by the sealing rim 15 is designated as the closing area 19.
Positioned in front of the sealing seat 17 in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening 3 is the nozzle pre-chamber 4, which with the exception of the valve outlet opening and (with the valve opened) of the valve opening 23 is closed.
7 2US~076 For the functioning according to the inven-tion -the hydraulic conditions in the region of the valve 11 and the nozzle 2 are of particular importance. In tllis respect the following features are preferred.
The closing area 19 is greater than the nozzle outlet opening 3. T~is cause~ a "hydraulic gearina up" or "hydraulic transmission"
during the closure of the closing element 13, i.e. the fluid moves during the closure of the closing element 13 considerably faster through the nozzle outlet opening 3 than the closing element 13 moves in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening 3. The ejection of the fluid is thereby supported and promoted particularly well during the closure of the valve 11 with a relatively slow movelllellt of -the closing element 13, as the closing element 13 moves towards a closing position of the valve 11.
Particular importance attaches to the hydraulic gearing up in the context of the inven-tion. In order to ensure tl-e required ejection of the fluid in the ink jet technology (the so-called "jetting"), the flow rate in the nozzle should be atleast 1 m/s. In the context of the invention it has been found that during the closing of the valve also a similarly higll rate is required in order to achieve a precise interruption o the fluid flow. Without the hydraulic gearillg up it is therefore essential that the closing element moves at a rate of the order of magnitude of 1 m/s from the open position into the closed position. The difficulties associated with said higll rate (damage to the sealing seat of the valve, damage to the positioning member, rebound of the closing element out of the closed position) are avoided by means of the hydraulic gearing up. 0p-timum flow ~ A~
20~8076 kinetic conditions may be achieved with reasonable structural outlay.
The walls 4a of the nozzle pre-chamber 4 are from the sealing seat 17 to the nozzle outlet opening 3 preferably cone-shaped at least in certain sections. In order to ensure the hydraulic gearing up, the closing element should moreover not be provided with a congruent cone, instead it is preferable for the closing area 19 to be roughly level (as shown), curved slightly inwards or, if it is curved in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening 3, at least significantly flatter than the conical walls 4a of the nozzle pre-chamber 4. Although a conical seal with mutually engaging congruent sealing surfaces will be regarded as advantageous for the sealing in many cases, it is nevertheless disadvantageous in the context of the invention because of the desirea hydraulic gearing up.
For the effectiveness of the hydraulic gearing up it is advan-tageous if the opening cross-section of the valve opening 23 of the valve 11, which is formed by the annular gap between the sealing rim 15 and the sealing seat 17, is smaller than the closing area 19. On the other hand the opening cross-section of the valve opening 23 should be greater than the cross-section of the nozzle outlet opening 3. It is thereby ensured that with the valve opened the flow rate of the analysis fluid is determined in the main by the flow resistance of the outlet opening 3 and not by the flow resistance of the valve.
The precision in volume terms of the ejected fluid quanta is improved by all these measures.
9 208~076 In the case of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the closing element 13 is actuated by means of a piezoelectric positioning element 30. It is shown with the valve 11 in the closed position. In order to bring about the required positioning path, a stacking piezo for example may be used.
The piezoelectric positioning element 30 is located in a positioning member compartment 31 which is separated from the pressure chamber 1 by a diaphragm 32. The diaphragm 32 blocks off completely the pressure chamber 1 from the positioning member compartment 31. The closing element 13 is rigidly connected to the positioning member 30, the connecting element penetrating the diaphragm 32. The diaphragm is provided with a sealing border at the penetration point.
In the context of the present invention it has been found that such a diaphragm seal is particularly advantageous for ensuring an exact proportioning. In general the seal between the pressure chamber 1 and the adjacent positioning member compartment 31 should be frictionless, so that the moving of the closing element 13 by the positioning element 30 is not arrested by frictional forces.
The piezoelectric valve movement permits a rapid sequence of movements with high forces. In addition it makes it possible for the closing element 13 to be brought deliberately and relatively exactly into a desired position between the closed position and the open position. This is particularly advantageous in connection with the embodiment explained with reference to Figure 4.
_ lO 208~076 Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which the closing element 13 is actuated by a magnetic positioning member 34. It comprises a swinging armature 35 which may be moved to and fro in the direction of the arrows 37 by a magnetic coil 36 as a function of the polarity of the current flow. Magnetic actuation makes possible sufficiently high actuating frequencies,and simultaneously a relatively long actuating path (of the order of magnitude of 1 mm). It is of particular advantage in the context of the invention that the positioning movement does not slow down towards the ends of the positioning path, but is even accelerated. The direc-t magnetic actuation of the closing element therefore makes it possible for the closing movement to adopt a course which is particularly favourable for the invention. The closing element 13 is thereby during the closure of the valve 11 moved at an undiminished or even increasing speed in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening 3 until the sealing rim (not shown in Figure 3) butts against the sealing seat. In this exemplifying embodiment also a diaphragm 32 is provided in order to separate the pressure chamber 1 from the positioning member compartment 31.
Fig. 4 illustrates a further preferred embodiment, in which the sealing element of the valve 11 exhibits elasticity such that the closing element 13 is movable beyond a position which ensures the hydraulic seal in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening 3. In the embodiment shown the sealing seat 17 comprises for this purpose an elastic seal 25, for example in the form of a shaped packing ring, against which the sealing rim 15 of the closing element 13 presses. The hydraulic seal is moreover already ensured the moment that the sealing rim 15 contacts the elastic seal 25. Said position of the sealing element 13 is shown in continuous lines. If the latter, due to 11 208~076 the pressure of the closing element 13 in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening 3 (arrow 27), is further compressed by the positioning path difference dh (said position is shown in dashes in the figure), the complete sealing ("chamber effect") of the fluid enclosed in the nozzle pre-chamber 4 leads to a particularly rapid ejection of the fluid at the moment of the closing of the valve 11.
On the opening of the valve 11 the "chamber effect" results in a small volume of air being sucked in through the nozzle outlet opening 3. This is not disadvantageous for the precision of the volumetric proportioning if the volume sucked in is relatively small.
Because of the elasticity of the seal 25 the closing element will after the attainment of the foremost position be pressed back slightly in the direction of the nozzle compartment if the positioning member permits such a movement. Consequently a drop of fluid remaining at the nozzle outlet opening 3 after the ejection of the fluid quantum will be drawn back. The precision in volume terms of the ejected fluid quanta will also be increased as a result. A concave inwardly curved meniscus is obtained in the region of the nozzle outlet opening 3.
- 12 - 208~07~
`~, The Patent Specifications referred to herein are more fully identified hereinafter:
EP-A-0 119 573, published August 26, 1984, assigned to Miles Laboratories Inc. (corresponds to U.S. Patent No. 4,216,245, Johnson issued on August 5, 1980).
EP-A-0 268 237, published May 25, 1988, assigned to Abbott Laboratories (corresponds to U.S. Patent 4,877,745, Hayes et al issued October 31, 1989).
DE-A-33 02 617, published August 2, 1984, assigned to Cyklop International Emil Hoffmann KG.
EP-A-0 260 929, published March 23, 1988, assigned to Domino Printing Sciences PLC.
EP-A 276 053, published July 27, 1988, assigned to Domino Printing Sciences PLC.
In clinical chemistry it is often necessary to apply an analysis fluid onto a target in exact quantit~. The fluid may be for example a reagent fluid, a calibration fluid or a sample fluid, in particular blood or serum.
The target to which the fluid is to be fed may be a reaction vessel, for example in an automatic analysis unit. Other examples are the microtitre plates frequently used in microbiology and the solid phase analysis elements in very common use today, ~hich are also described as "test carriers"
and, in the Anglo-Saxon literature, as ~solid state analysis y 2 2D~07G
elements". For the purpose of the present invention the term "analysis elements" denotes in addition to discrete test carriers (such as e.g. test strips and analysis slides) also tapes, strips or other forms of continuous analysis elements which are directed past a proportioning station at which the analysis fluid is applied.
Use is traditionally made for the feeding of analysis fluids of various forms of piston-cylinder apparatuses, such as e.g.
pipettes, dispensers and diluters. The reagents have usually been applied to analysis elemen s by impregnation of the reagents-carrier matrix (for example paper) or a reagent film has been produced in a layer-forming process from a fluid containing film-forming polymers. Printing techniques have also been proposed.
In EP-A-119 573 and in EP-A-268 237 (US-A-4 877 745) apparatuses of the kind mentioned in the preamble are described. Their technique is based on the ink jet technology developed originally for computer printers (ink jet printers).
Both documents contain more detailed explanations of the known state of the art , to which reference is made here.
These known apparatuses for the microproportioning of analysis fluids have in each case a nozzle compartment whose volume is compressed for a short time in order to eject a quantum of analysis fluid. In the case of EP-A-119 573 the nozzle compartment is formed by a section of an elastic tube, against whose lateral surface an electromagnetically moved cylindrical rod is directed, which is moved against the tube whenever a drop is to be ejected. In the case of EP-A-268 237 the nozzle compartment consists of a tubular piece which is surrounded by 20~07 :;
-a coaxial piezoelectric actuating element likewise formed in a tubular shape.
The "drop on demand" printing techniques make it possible to apply extremely small volumes of analysis fluids contact-free, accurately and quickly onto a target. The extraordinarily small volume of the individual quanta, which is usually some 0.2 nl and does not exceed about 1 nl, is however disadvan-tageous for many applications. If larger volumes are required, hundreds or thousands of jet quanta have to be ejected one after the other. The time required is considerable despite the high in;ection rate. In the case of easily volatile reagent fluids there is the risk that a substantial proportion of the small droplets will evaporate. In addition the ejection of the quanta is interrupted if a gas bubble of minute size forms in the nozzle compartment in the vicinity of the nozzle outlet opening. In the case of printers the formation of such gas bubbles can be avoided by the use of special inks. In the case of analysis fluids, however, this solution is not an option.
The aim of the invention is to provide an apparatus for the proportioned feeding of an analysis fluid onto a target, which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages and makes possible to generate analysis fluid quanta of precisely determined volume which are substantially larger than in the case of the "drop on demand"
methods commonly used to date for analysis fluids, but on the other hand are smaller than the minimum doses achievable to date with diluters and dispensers.
The aim is achieved in the case of an apparatus of the kind mentioned in the preamble by the fact that the latter - 2~076 comprises a pressure chamber in which the analysis fluid is held under pressure, a valve unit with a valve opening in the flow path of the fluid from the pressure chamber to the nozzle outlet opening and with a closing element moved by a positioning member for the opening and closing of the valve opening, and the valve unit is constructed so that the ejection of the fluid is supported by the movement of the closing element on the closure of the valve opening.
Thus in accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention there is provided an analysis fluid micro-proportioning apparatus for microproportioned feeding of an analysis fluid onto a target, wherein the apparatus ejects the fluid onto a target in small quantities in a pulse-wise manner out of a nozzle through a nozzle outlet opening, comprising: a pressure chamber for holding the analysis fluid under a permanent pressure; a valve unit having a valve opening disposed in a flow path of the fluid between the pressure chamber and the nozzle outlet opening, said valve unit having a closing element which is moved by a positioning member for opening and closing the valve opening, said permanent pressure forcing fluid through said valve opening when said valve opening is open; said closing element of the valve unit comprising a closing face facing an input side of the nozzle, said closing face being defined by a sealing rim, said sealing rim being disposed opposite an annular sealing seat dis-posed adjacent said input side of the nozzle; said nozzle comprising a nozzle pre-chamber downstream of said seal-ing seat, said nozzle pre-chamber being closed on an input side thereof when said valve unit is in a closed position by said sealing rim tightly fitting against said annular sealing seati and wherein a surface area of said closing face of said closing element is greater than a cross-section of said nozzle outlet opening so that, due to a hydraulic transmission during the closure of said 4a 21~8807 6 closure element, the fluid moves faster through the nozzle outlet opening than the closing element moves in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening, the ejection of the fluid thereby being supported and promoted during the closure of the valve unit with a relatively slow movement of the closing element.
In the case of the present invention, in contrast to the apparatuses for "drop on demand" microproportioning described above, a nozzle compartment (which is located directly behind the nozzle outlet opening) is not com-pressed whenever a fluid quantum is to be ejected.
Instead, the nozzle outlet opening is hydraulically connected to a pressure chamber in which the analysis fluid is subjected to a permanent pressure (of for example 0.1 to 5 bar). The ejection of a quantum of analysis fluid is controlled by the closing element of the valve unit, which briefly opens the hydraulic connec-tion between the pressure chamber and the nozzle outlet opening and closes again.
Said technique is known for the application of markings to packages and other comparatively rough and ready printing jobs. In particular there is supplied by the firm Domino Printing Sciences under the name "Makrojet 2"* a device which ejects fluid quanta of some 1.7 ~1.
The closing element of the valve unit is pressed by a spring against the nozzle outlet opening and for opening it is retracted with an electromagnetic tie rod (solenoid) by means of a wire pull. Details of said technique are given in DE-A-33 02 617, EP-A-0 260 929 and (in another embodiment) EP-A-0 276 053.
*trade mark A~
2io-s~076 The known apparatus is however completely unsuitable for the microproportioning of analysis fluids, because in said field (in contrast to the printing of comparatively rough and ready markings) a very high accuracy of the proportioning is required, which cannot be achieved with the known apparatus.
The variation coefficient (VC) of the drop size of the Makrojet 2 is above 10%, whereas for analysis purposes a maximum VC of around 1% is aimed at. Moreover, in the case of the known apparatus the lower limit of the achievable volume of a quantum is relatively high.
In the context of the present invention it has been found that it is highly advantageous for the high precision of the proportioning required during the proportioning of analysis fluids if the valve unit is deliberately so constructed that the ejection of the fluid during the closure operation, i.e.
by the movement of the closing element in the direction of the closed state (closed position) of the valve unit, is not arrested, but supported and promoted.
The invention will be explained in detail below with reference to an exemplifying embodiment shown in the figures, where Fig. 1 shows the overall layout of an apparatus according to the invention in cross-secticn, Fig. 2 an embodiment of the invention with a piezo-electric positioning element in cross-section, Fig. 3 an embodiment of the invention with a magnetic positioning element in cross-section, 6 20~8076 Fig. 4 a detailed view of a preferred valve unit.
The apparatus shown in Figure 1 for the microproportioning of analysis fluids comprises a pressure chamber 1 for the analysis fluid and a nozzle 2 ~ith a nozzle outlet opening 3 and a nozzle pre-chamber 4, through which the analysis fluid may be ejected in small quanta onto a target 5 (shown simply schematically). The analysis fluid 7 is held under pressure in the pressure chamber 1. It is fed by means of a pressure generating device 9 out of a storage vessel 6 via a connecting branch 6a. A pump, for example, may serve as the pressure generating device 9. It is also possible however for the pressure of an external pressure source (for example compressed air) to be transmitted via a diaphragm onto the analysis fluid 7 in the pressure chamber 1.
The hydraulic connection between the pressure chamber 1 and the nozzle outlet opening 3 may be opened and closed by means of a valve unit 11. The valve unit 11 (which is shown with the valve in the open position in Figure 1 and is also referred to below simply as a valve) comprises a closing element 13 actuated by a positioning member 12, the annular sealing rim 15 of said closing element 13 pressing with the valve unit 11 in the closed position against a likewise annular sealing seat 17 in the manner of a disc seal. The area surrounded by the sealing rim 15 is designated as the closing area 19.
Positioned in front of the sealing seat 17 in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening 3 is the nozzle pre-chamber 4, which with the exception of the valve outlet opening and (with the valve opened) of the valve opening 23 is closed.
7 2US~076 For the functioning according to the inven-tion -the hydraulic conditions in the region of the valve 11 and the nozzle 2 are of particular importance. In tllis respect the following features are preferred.
The closing area 19 is greater than the nozzle outlet opening 3. T~is cause~ a "hydraulic gearina up" or "hydraulic transmission"
during the closure of the closing element 13, i.e. the fluid moves during the closure of the closing element 13 considerably faster through the nozzle outlet opening 3 than the closing element 13 moves in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening 3. The ejection of the fluid is thereby supported and promoted particularly well during the closure of the valve 11 with a relatively slow movelllellt of -the closing element 13, as the closing element 13 moves towards a closing position of the valve 11.
Particular importance attaches to the hydraulic gearing up in the context of the inven-tion. In order to ensure tl-e required ejection of the fluid in the ink jet technology (the so-called "jetting"), the flow rate in the nozzle should be atleast 1 m/s. In the context of the invention it has been found that during the closing of the valve also a similarly higll rate is required in order to achieve a precise interruption o the fluid flow. Without the hydraulic gearillg up it is therefore essential that the closing element moves at a rate of the order of magnitude of 1 m/s from the open position into the closed position. The difficulties associated with said higll rate (damage to the sealing seat of the valve, damage to the positioning member, rebound of the closing element out of the closed position) are avoided by means of the hydraulic gearing up. 0p-timum flow ~ A~
20~8076 kinetic conditions may be achieved with reasonable structural outlay.
The walls 4a of the nozzle pre-chamber 4 are from the sealing seat 17 to the nozzle outlet opening 3 preferably cone-shaped at least in certain sections. In order to ensure the hydraulic gearing up, the closing element should moreover not be provided with a congruent cone, instead it is preferable for the closing area 19 to be roughly level (as shown), curved slightly inwards or, if it is curved in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening 3, at least significantly flatter than the conical walls 4a of the nozzle pre-chamber 4. Although a conical seal with mutually engaging congruent sealing surfaces will be regarded as advantageous for the sealing in many cases, it is nevertheless disadvantageous in the context of the invention because of the desirea hydraulic gearing up.
For the effectiveness of the hydraulic gearing up it is advan-tageous if the opening cross-section of the valve opening 23 of the valve 11, which is formed by the annular gap between the sealing rim 15 and the sealing seat 17, is smaller than the closing area 19. On the other hand the opening cross-section of the valve opening 23 should be greater than the cross-section of the nozzle outlet opening 3. It is thereby ensured that with the valve opened the flow rate of the analysis fluid is determined in the main by the flow resistance of the outlet opening 3 and not by the flow resistance of the valve.
The precision in volume terms of the ejected fluid quanta is improved by all these measures.
9 208~076 In the case of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the closing element 13 is actuated by means of a piezoelectric positioning element 30. It is shown with the valve 11 in the closed position. In order to bring about the required positioning path, a stacking piezo for example may be used.
The piezoelectric positioning element 30 is located in a positioning member compartment 31 which is separated from the pressure chamber 1 by a diaphragm 32. The diaphragm 32 blocks off completely the pressure chamber 1 from the positioning member compartment 31. The closing element 13 is rigidly connected to the positioning member 30, the connecting element penetrating the diaphragm 32. The diaphragm is provided with a sealing border at the penetration point.
In the context of the present invention it has been found that such a diaphragm seal is particularly advantageous for ensuring an exact proportioning. In general the seal between the pressure chamber 1 and the adjacent positioning member compartment 31 should be frictionless, so that the moving of the closing element 13 by the positioning element 30 is not arrested by frictional forces.
The piezoelectric valve movement permits a rapid sequence of movements with high forces. In addition it makes it possible for the closing element 13 to be brought deliberately and relatively exactly into a desired position between the closed position and the open position. This is particularly advantageous in connection with the embodiment explained with reference to Figure 4.
_ lO 208~076 Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which the closing element 13 is actuated by a magnetic positioning member 34. It comprises a swinging armature 35 which may be moved to and fro in the direction of the arrows 37 by a magnetic coil 36 as a function of the polarity of the current flow. Magnetic actuation makes possible sufficiently high actuating frequencies,and simultaneously a relatively long actuating path (of the order of magnitude of 1 mm). It is of particular advantage in the context of the invention that the positioning movement does not slow down towards the ends of the positioning path, but is even accelerated. The direc-t magnetic actuation of the closing element therefore makes it possible for the closing movement to adopt a course which is particularly favourable for the invention. The closing element 13 is thereby during the closure of the valve 11 moved at an undiminished or even increasing speed in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening 3 until the sealing rim (not shown in Figure 3) butts against the sealing seat. In this exemplifying embodiment also a diaphragm 32 is provided in order to separate the pressure chamber 1 from the positioning member compartment 31.
Fig. 4 illustrates a further preferred embodiment, in which the sealing element of the valve 11 exhibits elasticity such that the closing element 13 is movable beyond a position which ensures the hydraulic seal in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening 3. In the embodiment shown the sealing seat 17 comprises for this purpose an elastic seal 25, for example in the form of a shaped packing ring, against which the sealing rim 15 of the closing element 13 presses. The hydraulic seal is moreover already ensured the moment that the sealing rim 15 contacts the elastic seal 25. Said position of the sealing element 13 is shown in continuous lines. If the latter, due to 11 208~076 the pressure of the closing element 13 in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening 3 (arrow 27), is further compressed by the positioning path difference dh (said position is shown in dashes in the figure), the complete sealing ("chamber effect") of the fluid enclosed in the nozzle pre-chamber 4 leads to a particularly rapid ejection of the fluid at the moment of the closing of the valve 11.
On the opening of the valve 11 the "chamber effect" results in a small volume of air being sucked in through the nozzle outlet opening 3. This is not disadvantageous for the precision of the volumetric proportioning if the volume sucked in is relatively small.
Because of the elasticity of the seal 25 the closing element will after the attainment of the foremost position be pressed back slightly in the direction of the nozzle compartment if the positioning member permits such a movement. Consequently a drop of fluid remaining at the nozzle outlet opening 3 after the ejection of the fluid quantum will be drawn back. The precision in volume terms of the ejected fluid quanta will also be increased as a result. A concave inwardly curved meniscus is obtained in the region of the nozzle outlet opening 3.
- 12 - 208~07~
`~, The Patent Specifications referred to herein are more fully identified hereinafter:
EP-A-0 119 573, published August 26, 1984, assigned to Miles Laboratories Inc. (corresponds to U.S. Patent No. 4,216,245, Johnson issued on August 5, 1980).
EP-A-0 268 237, published May 25, 1988, assigned to Abbott Laboratories (corresponds to U.S. Patent 4,877,745, Hayes et al issued October 31, 1989).
DE-A-33 02 617, published August 2, 1984, assigned to Cyklop International Emil Hoffmann KG.
EP-A-0 260 929, published March 23, 1988, assigned to Domino Printing Sciences PLC.
EP-A 276 053, published July 27, 1988, assigned to Domino Printing Sciences PLC.
Claims (50)
1. An analysis fluid microproportioning apparatus for microproportioned feeding of an analysis fluid onto a target, wherein the apparatus ejects the fluid onto a target in small quantities in a pulse-wise manner out of a nozzle through a nozzle outlet opening, comprising:
a pressure chamber for holding the analysis fluid under a permanent pressure;
a valve unit having a valve opening disposed in a flow path of the fluid between the pressure chamber and the nozzle outlet opening, said valve unit having a closing element which is moved by a position-ing member for opening and closing the valve opening, said permanent pressure forcing fluid through said valve opening when said valve opening is open;
said closing element of the valve unit comprising a closing face facing an input side of the nozzle, said closing face being defined by a sealing rim, said sealing rim being disposed opposite an annular sealing seat disposed adjacent said input side of the nozzle;
said nozzle comprising a nozzle pre-chamber downstream of said sealing seat, said nozzle pre-chamber being closed on an input side thereof when said valve unit is in a closed position by said seal-ing rim tightly fitting against said annular sealing seat;
and wherein a surface area of said closing face of said closing element is greater than a cross-section of said nozzle outlet opening so that, due to a hydraulic transmission during the closure of said closure element, the fluid moves faster through the nozzle outlet opening than the closing element moves in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening, the ejection of the fluid thereby being supported and promoted during the closure of the valve unit with a relatively slow movement of the closing element.
a pressure chamber for holding the analysis fluid under a permanent pressure;
a valve unit having a valve opening disposed in a flow path of the fluid between the pressure chamber and the nozzle outlet opening, said valve unit having a closing element which is moved by a position-ing member for opening and closing the valve opening, said permanent pressure forcing fluid through said valve opening when said valve opening is open;
said closing element of the valve unit comprising a closing face facing an input side of the nozzle, said closing face being defined by a sealing rim, said sealing rim being disposed opposite an annular sealing seat disposed adjacent said input side of the nozzle;
said nozzle comprising a nozzle pre-chamber downstream of said sealing seat, said nozzle pre-chamber being closed on an input side thereof when said valve unit is in a closed position by said seal-ing rim tightly fitting against said annular sealing seat;
and wherein a surface area of said closing face of said closing element is greater than a cross-section of said nozzle outlet opening so that, due to a hydraulic transmission during the closure of said closure element, the fluid moves faster through the nozzle outlet opening than the closing element moves in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening, the ejection of the fluid thereby being supported and promoted during the closure of the valve unit with a relatively slow movement of the closing element.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a wall of the nozzle pre-chamber from the sealing seat to the nozzle outlet opening is at least partly cone-shaped.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening cross-section of the valve opening is greater than the cross-section of the nozzle outlet opening.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valve unit comprises an elastic sealing element whose elasticity is such that the closing element is movable beyond a position which ensures the hydraulic seal in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening (distance dh).
5. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the valve unit comprises an elastic sealing element whose elasticity is such that the closing element is movable beyond a position which ensures the hydraulic seal in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening (distance dh).
6. An apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 4 or 5, wherein the closing element of the valve unit is actuated by a piezoelectric positioning member.
7. An apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 4 or 5, wherein the closing element of the valve unit is actuated by an electromagnetic positioning member.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 4 or 5, wherein the pressure chamber is sealed off from the positioning chamber with a frictionless seal.
9. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the pressure chamber is sealed off from the position-ing chamber with a frictionless seal.
10. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pressure chamber is sealed off from the position-ing chamber with a frictionless seal.
11. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the frictionless seal comprises a diaphragm.
12. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the frictionless seal comprises a diaphragm.
13. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the frictionless seal comprises a diaphragm.
14. An analysis fluid microproportioning apparatus for the proportioned feeding of an analysis fluid onto a target, in which the fluid is ejected onto the target in small quanta pulse-wise manner comprising:
a nozzle having a nozzle outlet opening for the ejection of the fluid, a pressure chamber in which the analysis fluid is held under pressure, a flow path for the fluid between the pressure chamber and the nozzle outlet opening, and a valve unit with a valve opening in said flow path, said valve unit having a closing element movable by a positioning member for opening and closing said valve opening, said valve unit being so constructed that the ejection of the fluid is supported by the movement of the closing element during closing of the valve opening, said closing element comprising a closing area facing the nozzle and limited by a sealing rim, the sealing rim fitting tightly on a nozzle-side annular sealing seat, when the valve unit is in the closed position, and including a nozzle pre-chamber positioned downstream, in said flow path, of said sealing seat in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening, said nozzle pre-chamber being hydraulically closed except at the nozzle outlet opening and the valve opening, and said closing area being greater than the cross-sectional area of the nozzle outlet opening.
a nozzle having a nozzle outlet opening for the ejection of the fluid, a pressure chamber in which the analysis fluid is held under pressure, a flow path for the fluid between the pressure chamber and the nozzle outlet opening, and a valve unit with a valve opening in said flow path, said valve unit having a closing element movable by a positioning member for opening and closing said valve opening, said valve unit being so constructed that the ejection of the fluid is supported by the movement of the closing element during closing of the valve opening, said closing element comprising a closing area facing the nozzle and limited by a sealing rim, the sealing rim fitting tightly on a nozzle-side annular sealing seat, when the valve unit is in the closed position, and including a nozzle pre-chamber positioned downstream, in said flow path, of said sealing seat in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening, said nozzle pre-chamber being hydraulically closed except at the nozzle outlet opening and the valve opening, and said closing area being greater than the cross-sectional area of the nozzle outlet opening.
15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said nozzle pre-chamber has walls, said walls being at least partly cone shaped from the sealing seat to the nozzle outlet opening.
16. An apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said valve opening has an opening cross-section greater than the cross-section of the nozzle outlet opening.
17. An apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the valve unit comprises an elastic sealing element whose elasticity is such that the closing element is movable beyond a position which ensures the hydraulic seal in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening (distance dh).
18. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the valve unit comprises an elastic sealing element whose elasticity is such that the closing element is movable beyond a position which ensures the hydraulic seal in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening (distance dh).
19. An apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the closing element of the valve unit is actuated by a piezoelectric positioning member.
20. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the closing element of the valve unit is actuated by a piezoelectric positioning member.
21. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the closing element of the valve unit is actuated by a piezoelectric positioning member.
22. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the closing element of the valve unit is actuated by a piezoelectric positioning member.
23. An apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the closing element of the valve unit is actuated by an electromagnetic positioning member.
24. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the closing element of the valve unit is actuated by an electromagnetic positioning member.
25. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the closing element of the valve unit is actuated by an electromagnetic positioning member.
26. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the closing element of the valve unit is actuated by an electromagnetic positioning member.
27. An apparatus according to claim 14, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25 or 26, wherein the pressure chamber is sealed off from the positioning member with a frictionless seal.
28. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the pressure chamber is sealed off from the position-ing member with a frictionless seal.
29. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the pressure chamber is sealed off from the position-ing member with a frictionless seal.
30. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the pressure chamber is sealed off from the position-ing member with a frictionless seal.
31. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the pressure chamber is sealed off from the position-ing member with a frictionless seal.
32. An analysis fluid microproportioning apparatus for microproportioned feeding of an analysis fluid onto a target, comprising:
a pressure chamber for holding the analysis fluid under a permanent pressure of at least 0.1 bar, a valve unit having a valve opening disposed in a flow path of the fluid between the pressure chamber and a nozzle, said valve unit having a closing element which is moved by a positioning member for opening and closing the valve opening, said permanent pressure forcing fluid through said valve opening when said valve opening is open, wherein the valve unit controls ejection of the fluid onto a target in small quantities in a pulse-wise manner, and wherein the fluid ejection is supported by movement of the closing element when the closing element is moved toward a closing position of the valve unit, wherein the closing element of the valve unit comprises a closing face facing an input side of the nozzle, said closing face being defined by a sealing rim, said sealing rim being disposed opposite an annular sealing seat disposed adjacent said input side of the nozzle, wherein the nozzle comprises a nozzle pre-chamber disposed toward said input side of the nozzle, said nozzle pre-chamber being closed on an input side thereof when said valve unit is in a closed position by said sealing rim tightly fitting against said annular sealing seat, and wherein a surface formed by said closing face and said sealing rim facing the nozzle does not substantially protrude into said nozzle pre-chamber.
a pressure chamber for holding the analysis fluid under a permanent pressure of at least 0.1 bar, a valve unit having a valve opening disposed in a flow path of the fluid between the pressure chamber and a nozzle, said valve unit having a closing element which is moved by a positioning member for opening and closing the valve opening, said permanent pressure forcing fluid through said valve opening when said valve opening is open, wherein the valve unit controls ejection of the fluid onto a target in small quantities in a pulse-wise manner, and wherein the fluid ejection is supported by movement of the closing element when the closing element is moved toward a closing position of the valve unit, wherein the closing element of the valve unit comprises a closing face facing an input side of the nozzle, said closing face being defined by a sealing rim, said sealing rim being disposed opposite an annular sealing seat disposed adjacent said input side of the nozzle, wherein the nozzle comprises a nozzle pre-chamber disposed toward said input side of the nozzle, said nozzle pre-chamber being closed on an input side thereof when said valve unit is in a closed position by said sealing rim tightly fitting against said annular sealing seat, and wherein a surface formed by said closing face and said sealing rim facing the nozzle does not substantially protrude into said nozzle pre-chamber.
33. An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein walls of the nozzle pre-chamber from the input side thereof toward the nozzle outlet opening are at least partly cone-shaped.
34. An apparatus according to claim 32 or 33, wherein a cross-section of the valve opening in the open position of said closing element is greater than a cross-section of the nozzle outlet opening.
35. An apparatus according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the valve unit further comprises an elastic sealing means disposed between the closing face and an input side of the nozzle, said elastic sealing means being compressible beyond an initial contact position with said closing element and said input side of the nozzle for creating a hydraulic seal and ejecting an amount of analysis fluid through the nozzle during a compression of the elastic sealing means.
36. An apparatus according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the closing element of the valve unit is actuated by a piezoelectric positioning member.
37. An apparatus according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the closing element of the valve unit is actuated by an electromagnetic positioning member.
38. An apparatus according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the pressure chamber is sealed off from the positioning member by a sealing means.
39. An apparatus as recited in claim 38, wherein said sealing means sealingly separates the pressure chamber from the positioning member without affecting the movement of the positioning member.
40. An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the sealing means comprises a diaphragm.
41. An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said nozzle means includes a pre-chamber portion toward an input side thereof, wherein walls of the nozzle pre-chamber from the input side thereof toward the nozzle outlet opening are at least partly cone-shaped.
42. An analysis fluid microproportioning apparatus for microproportioned feeding of an analysis fluid onto a target, comprising:
a pressure chamber for holding the analysis fluid under a permanent pressure of at least 0.5 bar, a valve unit having a valve opening disposed in a flow path of the fluid between the pressure chamber and a nozzle, said valve unit having a closing element which is moved by a positioning member for opening and closing the valve opening, said permanent pressure forcing fluid through said valve opening when said valve opening is open, wherein the valve unit controls ejection of the fluid onto a target in small quantities in a pulse-wise manner, and wherein the fluid ejection is supported by movement of the closing element when the closing element is moved toward a closing position of the valve unit, wherein the closing element of the valve unit comprises a closing face facing an input side of the nozzle, said closing face being defined by a sealing rim, said sealing rim being disposed opposite an annular sealing seat disposed adjacent said input side of the nozzle, wherein the nozzle comprises a nozzle pre-chamber disposed toward said input side of the nozzle, said nozzle pre-chamber being closed on an input side thereof when said valve unit is in a closed position by said sealing rim tightly fitting against said annular sealing seat, wherein a surface area of the closing face of the closing element is greater than a cross-section of a nozzle outlet opening so that, due to a hydraulic transmission during closure of the closed element, fluid moves faster through the nozzle outlet opening than the closing element moves in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening, the ejection of the fluid thereby being supported and promoted during the closure of the valve unit with a relatively slow movement of the closing element towards a closing position of the valve unit.
a pressure chamber for holding the analysis fluid under a permanent pressure of at least 0.5 bar, a valve unit having a valve opening disposed in a flow path of the fluid between the pressure chamber and a nozzle, said valve unit having a closing element which is moved by a positioning member for opening and closing the valve opening, said permanent pressure forcing fluid through said valve opening when said valve opening is open, wherein the valve unit controls ejection of the fluid onto a target in small quantities in a pulse-wise manner, and wherein the fluid ejection is supported by movement of the closing element when the closing element is moved toward a closing position of the valve unit, wherein the closing element of the valve unit comprises a closing face facing an input side of the nozzle, said closing face being defined by a sealing rim, said sealing rim being disposed opposite an annular sealing seat disposed adjacent said input side of the nozzle, wherein the nozzle comprises a nozzle pre-chamber disposed toward said input side of the nozzle, said nozzle pre-chamber being closed on an input side thereof when said valve unit is in a closed position by said sealing rim tightly fitting against said annular sealing seat, wherein a surface area of the closing face of the closing element is greater than a cross-section of a nozzle outlet opening so that, due to a hydraulic transmission during closure of the closed element, fluid moves faster through the nozzle outlet opening than the closing element moves in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening, the ejection of the fluid thereby being supported and promoted during the closure of the valve unit with a relatively slow movement of the closing element towards a closing position of the valve unit.
43. An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said nozzle means includes a pre-chamber portion toward an input side thereof, and walls of the nozzle pre-chamber from the input side thereof toward the nozzle outlet opening are at least party cone-shaped.
44. An apparatus according to claim 42 or 43, wherein said ejection means further comprises elastic sealing means disposed between the closing means and the nozzle means, said elastic sealing means being compressible beyond an initial contact position with said closing means and said input side of the nozzle, for creating a hydraulic seal and ejecting an amount of analysis fluid through the nozzle means during a compression of the elastic sealing means.
45. An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said pressure chamber means is sealed off from said positioning means by a sealing means.
46. An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said sealing means comprises a diaphragm.
47. An apparatus according to claim 42, 43 or 45, wherein a cross-section of the valve opening in the open position of said closing element is greater than a cross-section of the nozzle outlet opening.
48. An apparatus according to claim 42, 43 or 45, wherein the closing element of the valve unit is actuated by a piezoelectric positioning member.
49. An apparatus according to claim 42, 43 or 45, wherein the closing element of the valve unit is actuated by an electromagnetic positioning member.
50. An apparatus as recited in claim 42, 43 or 45, wherein a cross-section of the valve opening in the open position of said closing element is smaller than a surface area of the closing face, said cross-section of the valve opening in the open position extending between said sealing rim and said sealing seat.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP4202561.3 | 1992-01-30 | ||
| DE4202561A DE4202561A1 (en) | 1992-01-30 | 1992-01-30 | DEVICE FOR DELIVERING AN ANALYZING LIQUID |
Publications (2)
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|---|---|
| CA2088076A1 CA2088076A1 (en) | 1993-07-31 |
| CA2088076C true CA2088076C (en) | 1997-04-15 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002088076A Expired - Fee Related CA2088076C (en) | 1992-01-30 | 1993-01-26 | Apparatus for the proportioned feeding of an analysis fluid |
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| EP (1) | EP0556566B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2846541B2 (en) |
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| JP2018051478A (en) | 2016-09-29 | 2018-04-05 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Fluid discharge device and method of discharging fluid |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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| NL299526A (en) * | 1962-10-19 | |||
| CH513690A (en) * | 1970-06-08 | 1971-10-15 | Patusa Ag | Device for controlling a stopper of a casting container |
| SE349676B (en) | 1971-01-11 | 1972-10-02 | N Stemme | |
| CH613387A5 (en) * | 1975-07-28 | 1979-09-28 | Zimmer Peter Maschinenfabrik A | Process and device for applying patterns to a material, in particular to a web material |
| US4142656A (en) * | 1976-12-17 | 1979-03-06 | Eastman Kodak Company | Drop former utilizing gas pressure |
| DE2810761C3 (en) * | 1977-03-24 | 1980-05-22 | Maschinenfabrik Peter Zimmer Ag, Kufstein, Tirol (Oesterreich) | Spray nozzle |
| US4177926A (en) * | 1978-03-30 | 1979-12-11 | The Toro Company | Water accumulator-distributor for agricultural sprinkler |
| US4714234A (en) * | 1982-09-07 | 1987-12-22 | Greatbatch Enterprises, Inc. | Low power electromagnetic valve |
| US4762277A (en) * | 1982-12-06 | 1988-08-09 | Briggs Technology Inc. | Apparatus for accelerating slugs of liquid |
| DE3302617A1 (en) * | 1983-01-27 | 1984-08-02 | Cyklop International Emil Hoffmann KG, 5000 Köln | COLOR SPRAY HEAD |
| AU2519184A (en) * | 1983-03-21 | 1984-09-27 | Miles Laboratories Inc. | Microdroplet dispensing apparatus |
| EP0165407A3 (en) * | 1984-04-26 | 1986-06-18 | Nippon Enlarging Color Inc. | Flow control valve with piero-electric actuator |
| JPS6136181A (en) * | 1984-07-30 | 1986-02-20 | 京セラ株式会社 | Method of bonding ceramic member ot metal member |
| GB8507688D0 (en) * | 1985-03-25 | 1985-05-01 | Lane International Ltd John | Fluid applicator |
| US4629099A (en) * | 1985-08-27 | 1986-12-16 | Jones J Paul | Escapement device |
| JPH0762502B2 (en) * | 1986-06-09 | 1995-07-05 | 日本電装株式会社 | Control valve |
| JPS6317625A (en) * | 1986-07-11 | 1988-01-25 | 井関農機株式会社 | Fourth article recovery apparatus of threshing machine |
| US4723131A (en) | 1986-09-12 | 1988-02-02 | Diagraph Corporation | Printhead for ink jet printing apparatus |
| GB8622196D0 (en) * | 1986-09-15 | 1986-10-22 | Domino Printing Sciences Plc | Ink jet marking apparatus |
| US4877745A (en) * | 1986-11-17 | 1989-10-31 | Abbott Laboratories | Apparatus and process for reagent fluid dispensing and printing |
| GB8700203D0 (en) * | 1987-01-07 | 1987-02-11 | Domino Printing Sciences Plc | Ink jet printing head |
| GB8828046D0 (en) * | 1988-12-01 | 1989-01-05 | Willett Int Ltd | Device & method |
| JPH0626210B2 (en) * | 1989-06-29 | 1994-04-06 | 東邦化成株式会社 | Wet processing machine |
| CA1319913C (en) * | 1989-06-30 | 1993-07-06 | Edgar F. Fiedler | Dispenser head for flowable materials |
| US4962871A (en) * | 1989-07-24 | 1990-10-16 | Valco Cincinnati, Inc. | Applicator utilizing high speed non-contact extrusion valve |
-
1992
- 1992-01-30 DE DE4202561A patent/DE4202561A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1992-12-22 CZ CS923821A patent/CZ382192A3/en unknown
- 1992-12-22 SK SK3821-92A patent/SK382192A3/en unknown
-
1993
- 1993-01-16 DK DK93100593.8T patent/DK0556566T3/en active
- 1993-01-16 DE DE59303696T patent/DE59303696D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-01-16 EP EP93100593A patent/EP0556566B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-01-16 ES ES93100593T patent/ES2093284T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-01-16 AT AT93100593T patent/ATE142536T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-01-22 US US08/008,552 patent/US5356034A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-01-22 AU AU31958/93A patent/AU661808B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1993-01-25 IL IL10450593A patent/IL104505A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-01-25 PL PL29753293A patent/PL297532A1/en unknown
- 1993-01-26 CA CA002088076A patent/CA2088076C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-01-26 NZ NZ245753A patent/NZ245753A/en unknown
- 1993-01-27 JP JP5011517A patent/JP2846541B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-01-29 CN CN93100529A patent/CN1076642A/en active Pending
- 1993-01-29 KR KR1019930001100A patent/KR960013919B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-01-29 FI FI930390A patent/FI930390A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1993-01-29 ZA ZA93637A patent/ZA93637B/en unknown
- 1993-01-29 NO NO93930310A patent/NO930310L/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NZ245753A (en) | 1995-04-27 |
| IL104505A (en) | 1996-06-18 |
| FI930390A0 (en) | 1993-01-29 |
| SK382192A3 (en) | 1995-05-10 |
| JP2846541B2 (en) | 1999-01-13 |
| JPH05264412A (en) | 1993-10-12 |
| DE4202561A1 (en) | 1993-08-05 |
| ZA93637B (en) | 1994-07-29 |
| CA2088076A1 (en) | 1993-07-31 |
| CN1076642A (en) | 1993-09-29 |
| PL297532A1 (en) | 1993-08-23 |
| NO930310D0 (en) | 1993-01-29 |
| ES2093284T3 (en) | 1996-12-16 |
| ATE142536T1 (en) | 1996-09-15 |
| AU3195893A (en) | 1993-08-05 |
| CZ382192A3 (en) | 1993-11-17 |
| DK0556566T3 (en) | 1996-12-23 |
| KR960013919B1 (en) | 1996-10-10 |
| AU661808B2 (en) | 1995-08-03 |
| US5356034A (en) | 1994-10-18 |
| DE59303696D1 (en) | 1996-10-17 |
| NO930310L (en) | 1993-08-02 |
| FI930390A (en) | 1993-07-31 |
| EP0556566B1 (en) | 1996-09-11 |
| KR930016151A (en) | 1993-08-26 |
| IL104505A0 (en) | 1993-05-13 |
| EP0556566A1 (en) | 1993-08-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |